AVONDALE (US), April 27 — Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry combined to make a pair of crucial late birdies and hung onto a share of the lead after 36 holes of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans yesterday in Avondale, La.

The Ulsterman and Irishman posted a 2-under 70 in foursomes (alternate shot) in the second round. That moved them to 13-under 131, where they’re tied with Ryan Brehm and Mark Hubbard (70), David Lipsky and England’s Aaron Rai (70) and Davis Thompson and Andrew Novak (69).